Dispatches from the Field—The Genocide Report
Washington, DC—20 February 2024
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) remains central to the delivery of humanitarian assistance in Gaza amid ongoing hostilities between Israel and Hamas. As civilian needs intensify and access constraints deepen, the operational capacity and political standing of UNRWA have become critical factors shaping whether lifesaving aid can reach the population.
The scale of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza is severe. Tens of thousands of civilians have been killed and injured, and widespread destruction of civilian infrastructure—including homes, hospitals, and schools—has displaced the majority of the population. Approximately 1.9 million people are internally displaced, while children face acute risks, including family separation and the need for urgent psychological and medical care. At the same time, humanitarian access remains insufficient relative to the scale of need, with aid delivery constrained by ongoing hostilities, infrastructure damage, and administrative restrictions.
Protection for Palestinian Refugees
UNRWA was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1949 to provide assistance to Palestinian refugees displaced during the events surrounding the creation of the State of Israel. Its mandate extends across Gaza, the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria, where it serves approximately 5.9 million registered refugees.
Unlike other refugee populations, Palestinians within UNRWA’s area of operations fall outside the mandate of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees. As a result, UNRWA functions as the primary provider of education, healthcare, and social services for this population.
In Gaza, the agency plays an indispensable role. It operates schools, healthcare facilities, and shelters, and provides emergency assistance to a population facing widespread displacement and economic collapse. Hundreds of thousands of civilians are currently sheltering in UNRWA facilities, while many more depend on its food distribution and medical services. The agency’s reach and infrastructure make it uniquely positioned to deliver aid at scale in a highly constrained environment.
UNRWA is not simply an aid provider—it is the backbone of humanitarian survival for millions of Palestinian refugees.”
Allegations and Institutional Response
In January 2024, Israeli authorities presented allegations that a number of UNRWA staff members were involved in the 7 October attacks carried out by Hamas. These allegations prompted immediate action by the United Nations, including the termination of implicated staff and the launch of a formal investigation by the Office of Internal Oversight Services.
In parallel, an independent review of UNRWA’s operations and adherence to humanitarian principles was commissioned. The review aims to assess institutional safeguards and ensure compliance with the principles of neutrality, independence, and accountability.
These processes reflect established mechanisms within the UN system for addressing allegations of misconduct. At the same time, the situation highlights the broader tension between accountability and operational continuity in active conflict settings.
Funding Suspensions and Operational Impact
Following the allegations, several major donor states—including the United States and key European partners—announced the suspension of funding to UNRWA. These decisions were taken while investigations remained ongoing.
The suspension of funding has significant implications for humanitarian operations. UNRWA is the primary mechanism through which large-scale aid is delivered in Gaza. Disruptions to its funding directly affect the availability of food, shelter, healthcare, and other essential services for millions of civilians.
Efforts to identify alternative delivery mechanisms face substantial logistical and operational challenges, particularly in an active conflict zone with damaged infrastructure and limited access routes. As a result, reductions in UNRWA’s capacity risk exacerbating already critical humanitarian conditions, including food insecurity and the potential for famine.
Humanitarian Access and Legal Obligations
The delivery of humanitarian aid in Gaza is governed by international humanitarian law, which requires that parties to a conflict allow and facilitate rapid and unimpeded access to relief for civilians in need.
Current conditions—including restrictions on aid entry, insecurity affecting humanitarian personnel, and damage to infrastructure—have significantly limited the effectiveness of relief efforts. Allegations of obstruction, attacks on aid workers, and the use of starvation as a method of warfare have further raised concerns regarding compliance with legal obligations.
Ensuring that humanitarian actors can operate safely and effectively remains essential to preventing further deterioration of conditions on the ground.
Political Dynamics and the Path Forward
The challenges facing UNRWA are not solely operational but also political. Longstanding criticisms of the agency, combined with current allegations, have intensified debates over its role and future.
At the same time, the broader conflict continues without a sustained ceasefire, limiting opportunities to scale humanitarian response. Diplomatic divisions within the international community, including within the UN Security Council, have further constrained coordinated action.
Any sustainable solution will require balancing accountability processes with the urgent need to maintain humanitarian operations. Interruptions to aid delivery during an active crisis risk compounding civilian harm and undermining longer-term stability
Bottom Line
UNRWA remains a central pillar of humanitarian response in Gaza. While allegations of misconduct require thorough investigation and accountability, the suspension of funding during an active humanitarian crisis carries significant risks for civilian survival.
Maintaining humanitarian operations at scale is essential. Without sustained support for aid delivery mechanisms and compliance with international legal obligations, the humanitarian situation in Gaza will continue to deteriorate, with potentially irreversible consequences.
Atrocity Prevention Lens
The disruption of humanitarian aid systems in Gaza represents a critical risk factor for mass atrocity crimes. The combination of large-scale displacement, restricted access to essential resources, and ongoing attacks on civilians increases vulnerability across the population. Weakening or dismantling the primary aid delivery mechanism during active conflict heightens the risk of starvation, disease, and further civilian harm. Effective prevention requires ensuring uninterrupted humanitarian access, protecting aid infrastructure, and maintaining institutional capacity to deliver assistance at scale.
Legal Frameworks
International Humanitarian Law
International humanitarian law obligates all parties to a conflict to protect civilians and facilitate the delivery of humanitarian assistance. The obstruction of aid or attacks on humanitarian personnel may constitute violations of these obligations.
Protection of Humanitarian Personnel and Infrastructure
Humanitarian workers and facilities are afforded special protection under international law. Actions that endanger or undermine their operations may constitute war crimes when carried out intentionally or indiscriminately.
Prohibition of Starvation as a Method of Warfare
The deliberate denial of food and essential resources to civilians is prohibited. States and non-state actors must allow and facilitate access to resources necessary for survival.
Accountability Mechanisms within the United Nations System
Allegations of misconduct by UN personnel are subject to investigation through established oversight bodies. These mechanisms are designed to ensure accountability while preserving the integrity of humanitarian operations.
Suggested Citation
“UNRWA: Lifeline for Relief in Gaza.” Dispatches from the Field—The Genocide Report, Washington, DC, 20 February 2024.
Photo Credit: UNRWA – United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East by David Scaduto. Licensed by CC by NC-SA 2.0
About TGR
The Genocide Report (TGR) publishes analysis and educational resources on conflict, international law, and atrocity prevention. Its work seeks to bridge academic research, field realities, and public understanding of mass violence and civilian protection.